Ron Koertge

“Stoner & Spaz” is a story about two possibly-but-not-likely average teens living in the L.A. suburbs. It is a great story, and Ron Koertge has terrific timing. Ben is sixteen-year-old boy with cerebral palsy who one day holds an extended conversation with one of his classmates, a girl who loves drugs. They have almost nothing in common, but become interesting events in each other’s lives. Despite, or perhaps because of, his grandmother’s disapproval, Ben falls for Colleen. But can he handle? Side plot: Ben is a film aficionado and his new divorcee neighbor is a free spirit that has dabbled in film-making with a documentary on heart-donor recipients. Ben decides to create his own. Some of the story are cliché and predictable. And the story plot is one expected from an after-school special. However, the details and dialogue Koertge levers are quite honest and real. He writes an interesting commentary on adolescent life today.… (more)

So this is the fourth poetry book I've read today. I love the month of April when I start my Poetry unit in my classroom. This book may just bet he one that pulls in my reluctant boys. Kevin loves nothing more than playing baseball. Suddenly he is knocked out of playing by a severe case of Mono. He barely has the strength to walk across the room. Not only can he not play baseball, but he can't go to school. When he isn't napping he has started writing poetry. His writer father has given him a notebook. In his father's office he finds a book about writing poetry that he sneaks to his room. He doesn't want anyone to know that he is writing poetry. For him this becomes a way of looking at and dealing with so many things in his life. It is a way of connecting with his thoughts and feelings about losing his mother. So loved this book. I can't wait to read the second one, "Shakespeare Makes the Playoffs".… (more)